Faculty of Arts Arts Student Centre

This unique subject allows Bachelor of Arts students studying any major to participate in an internship experience at one of a wide range of organsiations and institutions. This subject gives students real-world experience through the application and development of skills they have gained while studying their degree. It is a chance to make connections with employers and better understand the roles that will be available after graduation, and gain information that will assist with future career decisions. This subject involves completion of an 80 hour work placement and written assessment.

Further Information About the Bachelor of Arts Internship

• Undergraduate handbook entry: MULT20010 Arts Internship

The Sociology Internship is offered at third year where students undertake a research project for an organisation. The project is an opportunity for students to experience the culture and challenges of the workplace and is the equivalent of two University subjects. Students undertake internships in the private sector (e.g. working in the Human Resource section of a major daily newspaper evaluating a change-management strategy); the public sector (e.g. working with a local government on developing a graffiti strategy); and non-governmental organisations (e.g. The Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa Foundation evaluating education programs). This subject is not available to Study Abroad or CAP students. It is available to students completing a Sociology major and has a quota of 16 students.

Further Information About the Sociology Internship

• Undergraduate handbook entry: SOCI30005 (672-382) Sociology Internship

Students enrolled in this program will have the active experience of working for a community organisation, a government department, or a local government organisation. The central task will be to complete a research report of relevance to the organisation. Organisations that have recently hosted students include The Wilderness Society, Australian Film Commission and Victorian Department of Infrastructure. This subject is offered at third year and is not available as breadth or to CAP students. It is available to Study Abroad students. There is a quota of 30 students per semester.

Further Information About the Public Affairs Internship

• Undergraduate handbook entry for local students: POLS30003 (166-043) Public Affairs Internship
• Undergraduate handbook entry for international students: POLS30002 (166-039) Public Affairs Internship (International Students)

The Parliamentary Internship first began in 1990, following an agreement between the Parliament of Victoria and the University of Melbourne. Students who enrol in the Parliamentary Internship have the opportunity to carry out research projects for one semester in a practical, real-life setting, working under the supervision of a Victorian State Parliamentarian. Through this experience students are able to develop research, analytical, report-writing and interpersonal skills. They gain an understanding of the workings of the State Legislature and the role of Parliamentarians. They may make a contribution to policy development in one of a large range of policy fields. This subject is offered at third-year and is not available as breadth or to CAP students. It is available to Study Abroad students. There is a quota of 15 students per semester.

Further information about the Parliamentary Internship

• Undergraduate handbook entry for local students: POLS30001 (166-013) Parliamentary Internship
• Undergraduate handbook entry for international students: POLS30004 (166-044) Parliamentary Internship (International Students)

Politics and International Studies students are given the opportunity to participate in the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program, which establishes internships in the US Congress in Washington DC. The program runs for eight weeks and interns work full time in the US Congress on both administrative and substantive matters, in exchange for unique access to educational perspectives on the US Congress. Participation in this internship may be credited towards the Public Affairs or Executive Internship. This subject has a quota and is not available to Study Abroad or CAP students.

Uni-Capitol Washington Internship

• More information on the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program

The Media & Communications internship is only offered to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communication) degree. Students will acquire hands-on experience in a media and communications industry environment, under the guidance of a workplace mentor. Academic supervision and support will be provided in the form of a two-hour weekly seminar, during which students will develop communications skills relevant to their placement, and exchange evaluative reports on their workplace experience. This subject is designed to expose final-year students to work practices in a media and communications industry setting, and to provide opportunities to enhance their communication and research skills.

Further Information About the Media & Communications Internship

• Media and Communications Internships and placement subjects
• Undergraduate handbook entry: MECM30006 (100-310) Media and Communications Internship

The Criminology Internship, offered to Honours and Postgraduate students through the Department of Criminology, is designed to provide students with hands-on research experience in a criminal justice related agency. The internship involves students undertaking a specific research project for the agency, culminating in a 5000 word report. The purpose of the subject is twofold. First, to expose students to the operation of a government or community-based agency, where, in the course of an agreed research project, students have the opportunity to enhance their skills of data collection, analysis, report writing, observation, listening, and cooperation, as well as to develop appropriate professional contacts. Second, to facilitate an understanding of the relationship between social and criminological theory and the practical operation of a criminal justice agency.

The following is a brief example of some of the many agencies which have interned students in the past:

• The Victoria Police
• The Department of Justice
• The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
• Liberty Victoria
• The Australian Drug Foundation
• The Centre Against Sexual Assault
• The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
• The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
• The Red Cross

The Criminology Internship is run over two semesters and is worth 25 points in total. The equivalent of 150 - 170 hours will be spent on the agency internship itself, including establishing and conducting the research project and preparing the report (worth 70%). In addition, up to eight two-hour seminars are run throughout the year and students must also prepare a theoretical essay (25%) and give a short seminar presentation (5%).

Further information about the Criminology Internship

• Postgraduate handbook entry: CRIM90006 (191-536) Criminology and Sociology Internship